Bipartisan group of Senators outline critical response plan for schools, law enforcement"

SPRINGFIELD – Working across the aisle and in tandem with police chiefs and education officials, members of the Illinois Senate outlined an initiative at a press conference to enhance crisis response plans in case of a school emergency.

“As a former special education teacher, I spent 15 years in the classroom. I also have three children of my own, one who is now a teacher,” said State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Parents shouldn’t have immense fear that their kids are unsafe at school and teachers shouldn’t be put in a situation where they are on the front line. This is a commonsense approach to protect the people who educate our youth.”

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Senator Fine to require insurance plans to cover annual mental health prevention and wellness visits

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Fine, chair of the Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee, is leading a measure to ensure Illinoisans can have annual mental health wellness visits covered under their insurance at no additional cost.

“Just as people need yearly physical checkups to make sure their health is in order, people need annual checkups for their mental health,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Covering these annual visits will encourage people to seek necessary treatment for their mental health.”

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New tax credits announced for blue collar workers in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity last week announced the launch of the Blue Collar Jobs Act Tax Credit application for eligible companies. BCJA is a bipartisan legislative package designed to promote economic expansion and growth in Illinois by incentivizing construction projects. The legislation makes $20 million in tax credits available per year for eligible companies.

“Finally, we’ve got a tax credit that rewards blue collar workers rather than the guys in the corner office,” said State Senator Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island). “We want more business here in Illinois and we have the workforce to build them. I hope to see these businesses come to Illinois to help expand the economy, and to see our workers share in the incentives the state has to offer.”

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Villivalam passes legislation to provide for safer, more affordable transit

SPRINGFIELD – To make public transit safer, stronger and more affordable, State Senator Ram Villivalam led a comprehensive public transit plan through the Senate.

“Public transportation is used by hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents every day,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “We are building a transit plan that includes all communities and creates a more equitable future for residents who rely on our transportation system.”

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Copyright 2023 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

SPRINGFIELD – Taking a step forward in ensuring the safety and well-being of employees and incarcerated individuals, State Senator Willie Preston advanced a measure through the Senate addressing indecent exposure in correctional facilities.

"This bill addresses a serious issue that has often gone unnoticed,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “By criminalizing these acts of public indecency, we are taking a strong stand against harassment and intimidation, fostering an environment that prioritizes the well-being of both inmates and staff."

House Bill 1399 amends the Criminal Code of 2012 to create the offense of "lewd sexual display in a penal institution," making it a Class A misdemeanor for incarcerated individuals to expose themselves with the purpose or effect of intimidating, harassing or threatening someone in the presence of such a display. Repeat offenders would face more severe penalties, with subsequent violations being considered Class 4 felonies. The provisions will be repealed on Jan. 1, 2028, allowing for thorough review of annual reports provided by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham championed legislation to establish ethical guidelines to address ongoing concerns in the red light camera industry.

“We have seen numerous bad actors throughout local and state government,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “This legislation will put roadblocks in place to ensure that bad actors are punished for their crimes.”

SPRINGFIELD – To bring awareness to those who are suffering or at risk for liver disease, State Senator Mike Simmons passed a resolution declaring May 2023 as Liver Disease Awareness Month in Illinois.

“Liver disease is a silent killer and leading cause of death in the United States,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “It is important to bring awareness to this issue so those who struggle with this chronic illness feel supported and obtain the resources they need to fight.”

Senate Resolution 294 sheds a light on liver disease and the impact it has on people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 4.5 million adults have been diagnosed with liver disease, resulting in over 50,000 deaths annually. Causes of liver disease can include infection, genetics or other risk factors like heavy alcohol use, obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Increasing public awareness and understanding of liver disease could lead to an early diagnosis that can prevent the progression of liver disease to liver cancer, liver failure, or cirrhosis and other complications of liver disease. 

Simmons also passed legislation to increase liver disease screenings in Illinois. Senate Bill 1282 requires Medicaid, private insurance plans and government employee insurance plans to cover preventative screenings for liver disease for individuals who are at high risk for liver disease between the ages of 35 and 65. Those screenings can include high-quality preventative screenings such as liver ultrasounds, liver function tests and others that can help with early detection and management of liver disease. This bill passed both chambers on May 8 and now heads to the governor.

Senate Resolution 294 was adopted by the Senate on Friday, May 19, and May 2023 will officially be recognized as Liver Disease Awareness Month in Illinois.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy championed legislation to establish ethical guidelines to address ongoing concerns regarding automated traffic enforcement.

“The public deserves to have the utmost trust in their government and their law enforcement,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “We need to ensure that there is accountability and honesty on all levels.”

The measure prohibits campaign contributions from contractors who provide the automated traffic enforcement equipment, any political action committee created by such a contractor and any affiliates. Campaign contributions from such sources have been a cause for controversy in past years.

Further, beginning six months before an automated traffic law enforcement system is installed at an intersection, a county or municipality may not change the yellow light interval at that intersection.

Additionally, IDOT can revoke any permit for red light cameras if any official or employee who serves that county or municipality is charged with bribery, official misconduct, or a similar crime related to the placement, installation, or operation of the automated traffic law enforcement system in the county or municipality.

“Illinoisans deserve to be able to trust their elected officials aren’t being influenced by campaign contributions,” Murphy said. “Government officials should serve the people—not their own financial interests.”

House Bill 3903 passed the Senate with bipartisan support.

SPRINGFIELD – To encourage Illinoisans to take care of their mental health and explore our state’s natural resources, State Senator Laura Fine is sponsoring a resolution declaring July 15 “Unplug Illinois Day.”

“It is  so easy to get caught up in our phones and electronics that we forget to take time to take care of our mental health and connect with nature,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Having a day dedicated to unplugging from our devices will help us reconnect with our environment, our friends and ourselves.”

Unplug Illinois Day is a public service campaign by the Illinois Park and Recreation Association to highlight the value of “unplugging,” or taking a break from electronic devices to enjoy the outdoors. It aims to bring awareness to the staggering amount of time people spend on their phones or computers, and the positive impact unplugging can have on people’s health.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael E. Hastings spearheaded a measure through the Senate that would allow the Tinley Park – Park District to renovate a degraded building into a sports park and recreational space for residents in the community to utilize.

“Tinley Park is a great place to raise a family, yet all this empty space has been ignored for over a decade,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “This has been an eyesore for the community, and something needs to be done about it.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro advanced a legislative package from the Senate to help improve the procurement process in state contracts and provide pivotal economic opportunities and flexibilities to minority-owned businesses, universities, subcontractors, local governments and more.

“While minority- and women-owned businesses continue to face barriers to conducting business with the state, the demand for infrastructure and energy projects continues to boom, creating many more opportunities. This measure will make sure these critical economic opportunities are extended to those who have historically been shut out of the commerce process,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Through these changes, we continue our work to cut red tape and make Illinois’ business environment more equitable and efficient.”

The measure makes a number of changes to improve state contracts for veterans, women, people with disabilities and minorities, streamline the procurement process, and allow additional flexibility for universities, small businesses and contractors.